Steamed bun market stall

Shoppers at food markets, festival and event visitors, and office workers on lunch breaks.

Price per bun or a deal for two or three, with drinks or sides as add-ons. Takings depend on how many trading days you book and the footfall at each.

• Cooking and dough handling
• Food hygiene and safe handling
• Friendly, quick customer service

• Register as a food business with your council, usually at least 28 days before trading, and check which council covers each market
• Allergen information is required for every bun, so keep clear records of ingredients
• Public liability insurance, which many markets and events ask to see
• Check whether you need a street trading licence or consent for pitches outside organised markets
• Gas safety for steamers or burners, so check what certificates markets expect
• Weather and uneven event income, so keep some cash in reserve

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your equipment and setup. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around £800 to £4,000, though weather and uneven event income mean it is worth keeping some cash in reserve.

Check that you register as a food business with your council, usually at least 28 days before trading, and which council covers each market. Also check allergen records, public liability insurance, street trading consent for pitches outside markets, and gas safety certificates.

You need cooking and dough handling, safe food handling and quick, friendly service. Time needed is estimated at around 12 hours a week at minimum, with market and event days making up much of that.